PART 1
To better understand the situation with which Japanese youth are groping today, an overview of the Japanese society at large is necessary. The following is focusing on the difficulties young people are having in human relations right from one’s family. Despite the sophisticated technology of Internet and portable phones, it seems young people are not only unable to communicate, but even afraid of direct contact and relations.
Part 1 - Part 2
I. Overview : What is Happening in the Japanese Society and its Impact on Youth
a) Nuclear Family, Marriage, Commitment
apan rebuilt itself out of the ashes of World War II. However, many human values were sacrificed in the pursuit of economic development. Placing priority on economic development has led to putting children through an examination hell for places in schools and has turned adults into cogs in an economic machine that allows no rest. As a result, family ties have weakened.
Until recently, the divorce rate in the country was low compared to that in many other countries. In 1947, there were nearly 80,000 divorces. In 1998 the number increased three times reaching 243,000. The number of young people who approve of divorce has increased. Combined with the tendency to delay marriage, have small families and even to avoid marriage altogether, these changes are shaking the foundations of family life.
Because of work and school (cram schools, club activities) the center of the family is not the house, but the outside. School and work place are the arena of fierce competition. Young people are thrown in the competition race right from tender age of kindergarten.
Hiding their commercialism under the title of "free love," television, movies, magazines and comic books aimed at young people irresponsibly encouraging one-time sexual encounters, sex with many partners and behavior that violates the marriage bond. The increase in abortions, the weakening of marital ties, divorce and remarriage also raise doubts among the young about the possibility of permanent love.
b) Relation Problems
Given the above as the make up of a society controlled by economics laws, has brought a severe break down in all sorts of relationships beginning from the family. Being busy with one’s job or school entrance exams, putting all efforts into it in order to have success, the individual focuses on his/her personal achievements at the expenses of time and opportunities with one’ s family, friends, and oneself. By cutting off oneself from quality-relationships, one finds oneself isolated and lonely.
As a result there are all sorts of reactions. The most common is the phenomenon of the portable phones: you do not need to meet the other person you can always call and be called. Although, one may think that because of portable phones there would be more communication, in reality it is not quality communication, only information, no sharing of one’s emotions and feelings.
In addition, because of the portable phones phenomenon, young people are not able, even more, they are afraid to meet people face to face. They are at loss in deepening friendships, or starting new relationships. Not last and rare, when one cannot any longer bear with loneliness, there are incidents of violence to others or suicide.
c) Increasing of Cruel Crimes
Recently there have been many cruel crimes perpetrated by young people. Even though in each case there are unique motives for the crime, common elements are found. Among them are problems at school and with their parents’ expectations.
The value society puts on educational background and the conviction that having a good academic record is the highest human aspiration, makes a strong impression on children from an early age. Lately they are speaking up: they are tired of living up to their parents’ expectations because it turns out to a block to their relationship, self-expression and self-realization.
New kinds of crimes are the ones committed by using portable phone. Attracted by the possibility of a new encounter or an invitation for a date, many young people are receiving messages and entering in these net-encounters. This has brought about uneasiness and fear of others. Not few have ended up with murder.
(From Xaverian News)